Breach of Contract (Atari) re: D&D licensing

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Or maybe, it is a given fact, that Atari signed a 10 year deal back in 2007, to be the holder of the IP gaming (video game) license. Until 2017.

It is indicated that Wotc or Hasbro, have been in talks, for the last several months for some type of resolution to whatever matters they wanted to resolve. And nothing came of it.

Generally, I suspect that Hasbro wanted out of it, and Atari probably said, 'No', cause much money was spent on the license fees, back in 2007, for the 10 year deal.

Despite the lack luster of (making) games or good titles to bring in the good dollars.

I suspect, it was the last hold over, on who had the license outside their comfort zone. Keep in mind, before 4E came about, there was a 'withdraw' of outside licenses from publishing companines back then.

This is this technically the last one, a major one to boot. So...all this talk of 'breach' of contract, maybe a smoke screen, for Hasbro trying to break that last major hurdle, and of course, hit a roadblock.

I seem to remember that Scott Rouse was talking about the extension of the Hasbro Atari deal a few years ago? Was that really 2007? Possible.

The time frame for the deal of 10 years seemed to be a little long to me then, but then what do I know about this stuff?
But can the opinion change for Hasbro or WotC really have been so recently? D&D 4s release was known by 2007, why would they extent the contract if they knew they wanted to withdraw licenses in other areas?

I don't entirely believe the "smoke screen". It might be a combination of several factors. Maybe Hasbro or Wotc was unsure whether they wanted to hand out the license to Atari, but it still seemed the best guess then. But maybe recent events (like the possible licensing infractions mentioned) convinced them it was not a good idea after all?

A license breach alone might not be enough reason to end a license - while legally it can be, there might still be a question of whether the deal is considered worth it anyway. Apparantly it's not in the eyes of WotC.

 

[Dire Bare]

Or maybe, it is a given fact, that Atari signed a 10 year deal back in 2007, to be the holder of the IP gaming (video game) license. Until 2017.

I doubt the troubles between Turbine, Atari, and Hasbro have anything to do with the "sucking up" of licenses. WotC did make a very clear effort to reign back in their various IP licenses like Dragonlance and Ravenloft . . . but what we're talking about here is video games.

WotC doesn't make video games (and no, DDI doesn't count). If they successfully bring back the video game license from Atari, they'll just license it out to another company. I highly doubt WotC has any plans on making their own video games. They may want a freer hand on what they can/can't do with DDI, but that's about it.

I think what's going on is exactly what Turbine and Hasbro are claiming . . . Atari has been sucking it up bigtime with their management of the D&D license and Hasbro wants it back so they can license it to someone who will do a good job with it. Simplest explanation and everything we know about the situation fits it nicely.

Yes, an agreement was signed in the past . . . but part of the deal is that the licensee (Atari) manage the property well and make some good cash! They don't seem to be able to do that, so Hasbro wants out. I hope they get want they want!

 

[Dire Bare]

And finally to add, for all the D&D type-emulated games that have existed, the main D&D games, haven't been smash hits to the my memory.

There is no game I can recall, that has been a total sucessful, that has stayed on the gamer's mind, for the last several years.

Within recent years, there hasn't been a lot of great D&D games. There have been some good ones, but I agree that it's hard to come up with kick-ass games that have been released in recent memory.

However, the Baldur's Gate series of games were an amazing success and still leave fond memories in the hearts of PC gamers everywhere. Even the younger gamers have heard of these amazing games, even if they haven't played them.

Planescape: Torment, which used the same engine as the Baldur's Gate game, remains a cult hit. And the Icewind Dale games that also used this engine were good games as well. Taken all together, this trifecta of D&D goodness gives many gamers hopes for a good D&D game that can bring back the magic.

Plus, the Neverwinter Nights series of games were very well received also. Not as big of a hit as Baldur's Gate, but a top-selling series of games.

So, there you go Baldur's Gate/Icewind Dale/Torment and Neverwinter Nights.

 

[TheYeti1775]

Another possiblity is the GSL clashes with the current contract.
Thereby making the 4E game impossible to create due to conflicts in it. And Hasbro/WotC doesn't want them creating 3E stuff either on the license.

Either way its a loss for us the consumer.
Honestly I would love all the old modules done, would love having them to play.

 

[Dire Bare]

Another possiblity is the GSL clashes with the current contract.
Thereby making the 4E game impossible to create due to conflicts in it. And Hasbro/WotC doesn't want them creating 3E stuff either on the license.

Either way its a loss for us the consumer.
Honestly I would love all the old modules done, would love having them to play.

The GSL doesn't hold back 4th Edition computer games.

The license deal between Hasbro and Atari does constrain what WotC can do with D&D Insider. At least, that was the case during 3rd Edition, and I'm fairly certain things haven't changed in that context.

 

[Phaezen]

The GSL doesn't hold back 4th Edition computer games.

The license deal between Hasbro and Atari does constrain what WotC can do with D&D Insider. At least, that was the case during 3rd Edition, and I'm fairly certain things haven't changed in that context.

*Wild conspiracy theory warning*

I wonder if there could be something within this line of thought, especially considering the potential of the game table, if it is ever released?

*End wild conspiracy theory*

I am fairly sure myself it has something to do with Atari not doing anything with the IP, as Dire Bare pointed out, there have been some good games using the IP, but nothing recent and nothing in development. There is a valid concern that the IP might go stale under Atari. And, yes WOTC/Hasbro already have their licensing fees, but a good D&D game on PC or any of the other platforms could help bring more people to the Pen & Paper side of the hobby.

 

[Dire Bare]

*Wild conspiracy theory warning*

I wonder if there could be something within this line of thought, especially considering the potential of the game table, if it is ever released?

*End wild conspiracy theory*

Not the gametable as planned. But the closer WotC makes the D&DI gametable to an independent video game that doesn't require the books . . . . license doesn't allow that.

Hopefully, once all is sorted out, the next license will be more open towards WotC being unrestrained when creating the D&D gametable. You can play Magic: The Gathering online without purchasing the physical product, it would be fun to play a fully interactive D&D online without the need for the books.

 

[LightPhoenix]

Or maybe, it is a given fact, that Atari signed a 10 year deal back in 2007, to be the holder of the IP gaming (video game) license. Until 2017.

Is the contract a public document? I'd love to read it if it is.

I find it extremely hard to believe that WotC would attempt a lawsuit if that were simply the case. In fact, I am extremely dubious that any company would sign an IP over so completely. My guess is that, at the very minimum, there is a clause in there that stipulates Atari must release a certain number of games, possibly on a certain schedule, or have the license revert back to WotC. If it were a simple "IP gaming for 10 years" contract, there wouldn't be a breach of contract to sue over.

That said, I also agree with Dire Bare and Phaezen that this is probably motivated by a desire to expand DDI in the form of a fully independent game table, which would fall under the gaming IP.

 

[Dire Bare]

That said, I also agree with Dire Bare and Phaezen that this is probably motivated by a desire to expand DDI in the form of a fully independent game table, which would fall under the gaming IP.

Well, I don't think that's the main motivation behind the lawsuit, actually. It would just be a nice side benefit.

 

[Steel_Wind]

WotC has a reputation for being a complete pain in the ass to work with and not many licensees are keen to do so. You reap as you sow.

Atari has made a mess of what ought to have been a money making machine a la WoW for them. I sincerely doubt they will ever dig themeselves out of that mess. Let's face it - if they were going to do so - they would have done so by now.

Perhaps if the Atari license finally dies, WotC will then seek to spin all D&D rights off to a third party. With the IP, rules, settings, trademarks and a free hand to do electronically do with the game whatever it is that needs to be done, that might work -- for a MMO, that is.

But it will be at a cost to the PnP side of the game that most here on ENWorld would consider heretical, imo.